I have not really kept up with the latest in PC technology, but here’s a quick refresher on the latest features to look out for. It’s a long list and an excellent starting piece for your ultimate gaming rig.(more…)

Zenbook Flip is Asus’s method of combining convertible 2-in-1 with their high-class Zenbook laptop range. Asus ZenBook Flip UX360UA is their one of the latest attempt at creating the perfect convertible and it is one of the most powerful convertibles around.

Specifications

Unlike the previous Zenbook Flip UX360CA which runs on Intel® Core™ M3 CPU, the review UX360UA unit is running on an Intel® Core™ i7-6500 CPU along with 8GB DDR3 RAM and 512 GB SSD to ensure the snappiest performance.

13.3″ QHD LED IPS screen sounds like the sweet spot for convertible laptop size. The only concern with the glossy screen is that it’s highly reflective under strong sunlight and it might not be the perfect device to be used outdoor. On the other hand, based on indoor usage experience, this is by far one of the best screen display I have seen with its high resolution and vibrant colour. I would personally prefer a matte display for future models.

Zenbook Flip UX360UA are surprisingly thin without sacrificing all the major ports that are still being used in the current 2 in 1 convertible market. UX360UA comes with combo audio jack, a USB 3.1 TYPE C port, two USB 3.0 ports, SD card slot and an HDMI port

The trackpad on the UX360U is on par with Macbook standard in terms of size & comfort. If you are worried about accidental click you are able to disable it via the keyboard command.

On the other hand, the backlit keyboard is surprisingly pleasant to use and well laid out with enough travel between keys.

On the other hand, the hinge on my review unit got a minor issue that the screen moved when you are using the touch screen on few different angle. You may wish to take note on your unit if you are interested in using it in table top mode.

Battery life on UX360 is decent like the majority of the Thin & Light laptop in the market, I used it at a local Starbucks for 3 hours and the battery went down from full battery to around 60%. Do note that I was using it to stream Spotify, watching Youtube videos & web browsing. If you are using it for basic web browsing and document editing purposes, you should be able to stretch the battery life to a longer duration.

Available now at all major IT outlets, with the price starting from S$1,598.00 for i5 model to $1,898 for the i7 model, it’s not the cheapest convertible we see around but it is one of the most powerful convertibles that can fulfil most of your needs on the go. For those who are budget conscious and does not require the top performance on the go, you may wish to consider the intel core M3 model UX360CA with a slightly different design that is also available right now at a cheaper price.

The ASUS Zenpad 3 comes in at the size of an iPad Mini, and includes a default 4G SIM slot for anywhere connectivity.

Now, the Zenpad 3 comes with a gorgeous high-resolution 7.9-inch IPS screen, and a relatively fast Snapdragon 650 paired with 4 GB of RAM. It’s perfect for watching shows, especially with the front facing stereo speakers. The only caveat, the tablet like the iPad Mini, runs on a 4:3 display ratio, which means black bars for most of today’s movies and tv shows. It’s a small annoyance, for the 4:3 ratio makes it otherwise great for reading published content, and also really comfortable to hold landscape and portrait. Worthwhile trade offs.

ASUS mini PCs, the VivoMini VM65N and VM65, have been updated with the latest 7th Generation Intel Core Kaby Lake processors. The other specifications remain the same. In a nutshell, these mini PCs can pack a punch. Newer is always better, and the updated PCs are expected to deliver an 11 percent performance increase over last generation chips.

The systems are powered by the latest 7th Gen Intel Core processors (i7, i5, i3 options) and are equipped with two SO-DIMM slots for up to 16 GB of DDR4-2133 memory, slots for one 3.5-inch drive (or two 2.5-inch with optional Vivo DualBay), an 802.11ac Wi-Fi module, Gigabit Ethernet, a 4-in-1 card reader, four USB 3.0 ports, or two USB 3.1 type-A ports (the VM65N only), one audio output jack, an HDMI connector, one Dual-mode DisplayPort output, built-in 2x2W SonicMaster speakers and a Kensington lock.

ASUS ROG latest keyboard is the world’s first RGB LED-backlit keyboard with a detachable numpad for flexible placement and a minimal footprint. The detachable keypad can be placed to the left or right of the keyboard to suit different scenarios — on the left side of the keyboard as macro keys for MMO gaming, or on the right for a more traditional keypad placement. Or if you want to bring it about, simply leave the numpad at home.

There will also be another model: the ROG Claymore Core which is a compact TKL mechanical gaming keyboard and does not have a detachable numpad.

Finished in aluminum with the ROG Mayan-inspired etchings on the keyboard chassis

If you use an ASUS motherboard, you have access to exclusive cooling fan controls hotkeys, and also synchronized lighting on ASUS motherboards and graphics cards. You can even use Claymore’s backlit keys to reflect CPU temperature.

In-car dashboard cameras are now a necessity. It could make / break your insurance claim, and I think every driver needs one. The ASUS Reco Smart is a more intelligent in car camera as the name suggests.

You plug it into your car and can use it as per a normal dash cam. The included 4m long micro USB cable helps for cable management and the dash mount feels strong and secure. But to unlock the full features, download the Reco Smart app, available on both iOS and Android, and you can then connect to the camera over Wi-Fi. From there, you can preview, download, view images and videos that have been captured and configure the additional settings that ASUS offers.(more…)